The Alcázar

This imposing royal palace is situated at the highest point of the city. It has been completely reconstructed after being destroyed during the Spanish Civil War.

Originally this site is thought to have been used by the Romans as a military base. Visigoths may have had a fortress here which was rebuilt after the Reconquest by Alfonso VI. King Alfonso X had the east side built in the 13th century. Finally King Charles V changed the nature of the structure from fortress to palace and hired the best-known architects of the 16th century--Covarrubias and Juan de Herrera, who designed the southern facade. (See also the Escorial.)

The south facade

Details of the south facade

The southwest corner and the west facade

The medieval eastern facade with remains of battlement towers and defensive details